The Evolving Role of the General Counsel

Foley Partner Gardner Davis authored an article that appeared in InsideCounsel on February 23, 2011 titled “The Evolving Role of the General Counsel.” Davis discusses the expanding roles and expectations of general counsel due to a greater emphasis on risk at the board level, stating that the role of the general counsel has expanded from providing traditional legal counsel to advising on non-legal risks such as public relations issues. He adds that corporations benefit from a culture where senior managers will freely share concerns with the general counsel, but notes that executives may be reluctant to be candid.